I'm on the Tokyo to HK cruise next month, and have some questions for those who have done this one in the past (or those who just know this stuff). How far from where the ship docks in Tokyo is there a subway or JR stop? How about taxis? Is there a taxi stand nearby? If so, are they lined up very early in the morning if I want to go see the fish auction at the tsukiji fish market (which I understand is not within walking distance)?

Also, I would like to go to a museum that gives a good sense of Tokyo history. From what I'm reading in the guidebooks, it looks like I'm better off at the Edo Tokyo Museum than the National Museum. Is that correct? Is there another museum or other exhibition that would be better for this purpose?

Only 33 days to departure (not that I'm excited about this trip or anything)! <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" />

Crystal, I have a Tokyo map which I can scan and email or fax you. Get my email address from my profile and let me know what you presfer. I'll see you on the ship.

Crystal - even if you don't early in the morning to Tsukiji, it's still a fascinating place to visit. The wholesale auctions will be done but the shops stay open until near lunch time for restaurants and vendors to buy - as well as the public and you'll still see the wide variety of seafood that Tsukiji handles. You'll also still see them slicing up whole tuna into sellable product. You can even buy premium toro grade sashimi from one of the vendors and eat it there (amazingly good stuff).

See pictures from my trip here:
http://homepage.mac.com/amandaho/PhotoAlbum9.html

(bottom half of page)

Masaki

I agree with Masaki, don't miss the fish markets - they're huge. The most fascinating thing I remember, except for the little washing machine thingies that they drive around, was there is absolutely no odour at all from the fish. I saw the auctioning and although frantic and interesting, don't worry if you miss it as the whole place is really worth seeing. I saw varieties of seafood I didn't know existed.

We saw the Edo Tokyo museum and enjoyed it. The building itself is worth seeing.

Thanks for that info--good to know that if I miss the auction, it will still be worth seeing. Lunch at Tsukiji is definitely on my agenda. How can I go to Tokyo and not eat sushi at the world's most famous spot for it?
Masaki, those pictures are wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Now I'm even more excited about the trip, if that's even possible.

There are several places it can dock, but if they dock where we were last year, it was over a mile and a half to the closest subway. There were taxis and buses available at the port that could take you to the subway.

Crystal - doing some more research on this matter. Found this:
http://www.photoethnography.com/technique/index-frameset.html?tsukiji.html~mainFrame

According to this, as of May 2005, the fish auctions are closed to the public. Otherwise, the rest of Tsukiji is still open and you'll still be able to see the same sights as we did when we went. I've confirmed that news on a bunch of different web sites so it looks like it's true. Interestingly enough, the website I reference above also went to the same sushi restaurant that we went to in Tsukiji. Expect a line and a wait. Very good sushi though not particularly cheap.

Also this wiki entry might be useful as well:
http://wikitravel.org/en/One_day_in_Tokyo

Masaki

Well, then, I guess I don't have to worry about getting up early to go to the fish auction. Though I'll probably be up due to body clock mal-functions anyway. But thanks for letting me know. It would be a bear to get there before dawn and discover I can't watch. Susan, thanks for the info re taxis and buses. I assume someone on the ship will be able to write my destinations for me in Japanese and I can just show the paper to a taxi driver.

If not, you can write out the Japanese name of where you're going in English and most taxi drivers will be able to read it. If you want me to prewrite the Japanese for you, let me know. :D

Masaki

While I didn't have much trouble with people helping me in Japan, I would highly recommend you have someone write the name of the Pier and/or destination when you are in China. There were a number of people on our ship that had taxi drivers misunderstand and not be able to find the ship or take them where they wanted to go. There normally is a local representative that comes onboard when you are in port and they will write things in Chinese for you.

Crystal, Jody & Kathy, just received word that our TA is sending our docs out to us! Can't wait to meet you on the Tokyo to HK segment! Isn't MsUnderstood also on this segment? Linda & Larry

[ Isn't MsUnderstood also on this segment? Linda & Larry [/QB][/QUOTE]
Yes I am. I have only lurked on this board. Altho I do enjoy it. I got my docs a few days ago. I look forward to meeting up with you guys on what promises to be a fantastic voyage. Thanks to the post on the Silversea board about Silver Sailings, we have saved $5600 on our previously booked Copenhagen-London trip for 2006. WooHoo!

I got my docs today---just posted my docs dance in another string. Jody, Kathy, Linda, Larry and MsUnderstood, I think we have a quorum for this cruise! This past year has had some bumps in it, and this trip is my reward for it all. I can scarcely believe it's almost here. Of course, I just got an email from the airline telling me that my 1-1/2 hour layover in LA is now a 3-hour layover. Oh well, I think I'll find one of those seated massage tables and maybe a manicurist, and treat the layover as just another part of the vacation.

Crystal, 1 1/2 hrs would very stress inducing since it is just darn unlikely that you would have left the East coast on time or arrived here in LA at anything like the ETA! 3 hours would be just right if it was me. No worries when the plane is delayed on take off and no running thru the airport looking for your connection. Stretch your legs and get a Starbucks and a "I Love LA" t shirt. See ya on board!

For some reason, I'm usually blessed with on-time flights (that sound is me knocking wood). But you're right--better safe than sorry. I expect my flight change will involve the entire length of LAX. By the way, Ms Understood, do I recall correctly that you are doing the Xian trip? So am I. Linda and Larry, and Jody and Kathy, am I remembering correctly that you are not?

Crystal, you are correct. We are not doing the Xian trip.

I've been watching movies to get me in the mood. Last weekend was Lost in Translation, and tonight was The Last Emperor. If you haven't seen the latter, I highly recommend it. It certainly has me primed for seeing the Forbidden City.

We also did the Xian excursion last year and enjoyed it very much. In addition to seeing the warriors, there was a stop at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Park, the city walls, and a park that was both the home of one of the Four Beauties of China and where Chiang Kai Shek was hiding out in the 1930s.

The ship broadcast a TV documentary about the Mao Tse Tung era that helped put the China visit in context. I think the "The Last Emperor" was broadcast, too.

If you're in Hong Kong for their Mid-Year Autumn festival, you're in for a treat. See if you can find the evening dragon dance and the lantern festival near the waterfront. They were both on Hong Kong Island.

A traditional gift at this time of year are moon cakes. They are a heavy pastry filled with bean paste and egg yolks. A newer version is filled with ground nuts. We also found them lurking on the buffet in Xian for dessert.

Cheers, Anne

Don't eat the moon cakes! (shudder) I pawn them off on Amanda every chance I get.

Masaki

Crystal, we are doing the Xi'an trip. Very much looking forward to that. we will also be staying an extra day in Hong Kong. When is the Autumnn festival? Did you find a ride from the airport? We wound up booking a car for 4 people for $1040!!! I keep thinking I could buy a car for not much more than that! But since we will be arriving late, don't want to waste a lot of time making our way to the ship. I am already worried that we will be shut out of Signatures and any good spa times.

Masaki - what a great deal! And to think Amanda LIKES mooncakes. It's a real win-win.

Crystal - it looks like Mid-Autumn festival is early this year (Sept. 18). It is figured on a lunar calendar so it moves around each year. Last year it was Oct. 4. There are great ideas on the Hong Kong Tourism Website www.discoverhongkong.com . We used it extensively last year and found it useful.

Ms - I'm assuming the private transfer cost from the airport to the ship is in Hong Kong dollars, right? If it is, it seems reasonable (about US$140 total for 4 plus I assume a 10% tip).

If it's actually US$, it's much too high. Here's a site giving you indicative rates for a private transfer from Hong Kong Airport to the Kowloon side (the ship docks near the Harbour City shopping center). US$38 per person x 4 = US$152 x 7.8 = HK$1,186.

http://www.southtravels.com/asia/hongkong/transfer.html

Cheers, Anne

Adrenn, I was actually referring to the trip from the airport in Tokyo. Even RSSC wants $350pp. Almost makes us wish we had used their air. We are finishing our trip with a stay at the Peninsula in HK and the hotel will provide a transfer to the airport in their Rolls Royce for about $100 US. Waaay better option then our Tokyo ride! Thanks for the advice anyway.

Ms - Sorry I misunderstood your comment. Tokyo is very, very pricey (unfortunately). Hope you'll have a lovely visit. The Peninsula in HK is beautiful. Cheers, Anne

I must be very naive, but I was sure that price of $1040 for a transfer in Tokyo would come up to be a mistake, even more disappointed that RSSC will charge $350 per person!

You will LOVE the Peninsula in Hong Kong. It's probably the best hotel in the world (and definitely the best hotel in all of Asia for sure).

Ms., I'm coming in a day earlier and staying at the Palace Hotel, just across the moat from the Imperial Palace. I'm planning to take the airport shuttle bus. It's Y3,000, which currently equals about $27. Supposedly, it takes about 90 minutes. Seems worth it as compared with taxi fares or the RSSC transfer. I gather you're coming in on cruise day. You might consider taking it to a hotel close to the pier, then picking up a taxi from there. I expect there still will be plenty of spa and restaurant reservations left by then, though the Mariner veterans may be able to speak to that better than I.

Anne, thanks for the link and the info. I wish I was able to stay on a bit in HK--there's so much to see and do there--but my office is already in shock over the amount of vacation I'm taking.

Crystal, we are using the Airport Limo Bus too. Our quote was $650 for two by car.

Crystal, we are not doing Xian :-(, but hope to get back to China in '08 for the Olympics and will definitely do it then! We are looking forward to meeting you all on this trip. Ms Understood, we are also staying at the Peninsula Hotel for a few nights after the trip, while Kathy & Jody will be on the next segment!!!! Linda & Larry

Crystal, Love your avitar and your short hair. Looks like you are ready for your cruise..... looking good, girl!!!!! ;)

Thanks. That do is actually my pre-chemo cut. My hair is even shorter now. I haven't had the nerve yet to step in front of a camera with it (other than for the picture to renew my passport, but passport photos are supposed to be hideous). That will change very shortly--there WILL be a picture of me on the Great Wall.